Guan Yin & The 108 Lokesvaras - A Special Exhibition in commemoration of Maestro Lin Jian-Cheng

2018-08-01

The “108 Lokesvaras” depict 108 forms of Guan Yin and each Lokesvara answers to one of the 108 kinds of misery people suffer from. This is a special exhibition in commemoration of master sculptor Lin Jian-cheng at the Museum of World Religions in New Taipei City, Taiwan.

Here at the exhibition, visitors can observe howmanifestationof the 108 Lokesvaras changed as the work spread from Nepal to Japan and then to Taiwan, and variations on the expression of compassion.

Museum of World Religions Foundation CEO, Shih Liao Yi said that Ling Jiou Mountain's Wu Sheng Monastery was founded by Master Hsin Tao 35 years ago. He founded this Buddhist society with compassion and chan as the central themes, reflecting his religious mission. Great vow and compassion is what Guan Yin stands for. One very important legacy of this exhibition is the 108 Lokesvaras. They represent the actualizations of Master Hsin Tao's efforts to promote world peace.

Another actualization is Dharma Master Hsin Tao's founding of the Museum of World Religions, a place whose mission is to foster respect among peoples and religions, and one way to do so is by introducing to visitors culture, literature, music, rituals and architectural designs from around the world, in hopes that with greater learning and cultural experiences, steps can be made toward world people.

Museum of World Religions Director Chen Kuo-ning expressed that many people feel that religion is about criticizing other religions. But for the Museum of World Religions, we're not about competing, we work with each other. Children that we've invited to visit have said, “this is a museum of the heart.”

Ling Jiu Mountain Buddhist Society and the Museum of World Religions invited artist Kun San Che Pei Lama and sculptor Lin Jian-cheng to recreate 108 Lokesvaras in thangka and painted red copper sculptures respectively in a globally unique effort to showcase classical Buddhist art in a new light.

Museum of World Religions Director Chen Kuo-ning; when he finished the very last sculpture, Maestro Lin suffered a heart attack and passed away. It was like he had finished his life's mission.

Museum of World Religions Foundation CEO Shih Liao Yi; Maestro Lin's work truly touched our heart, so we hoped that with his two hands and the power of faith, he can create something shows the compassion of Guan Yin for ages to come.

In addition to wax and Buddhist sculptures, Maestro Lin's works also include a bronze sculpture of Taiwanese modern dancer Lo Man-fei, and sculptures of the cute variety adapted from the work of illustrator Jimmy Liao.

Jimmy Liao said people might have seen some of my work adapted into public installations, especially the ones in Yilan, and some later work as well. Actually, those were led by Maestro Lin and his team. I'm really happy and proud to have had the opportunity to learn from him during those last two years. After studying sculpture from him, I noticed that my style and the subjects I chose took on a deeper meaning.

Breaking from traditional methods of display, this exhibition includes interactive digital multimedia that provides visitors a spiritual experience that seems to cross through time and space. Visitors can stand in front of a screen to see which of the 108 Lokesvaras is chosen to appear to them. There is another installation that takes a 3D picture of the visitor, then recreates the person’s form as the sand that then disperses, becoming a part of the Ganges River.

Over a hundred people attended the exhibition's opening ceremony, including leaders from Buddhism, art, and academia. Memorable musical performances were given by a group that transversed classical and popular realms.

The 108 Lokesvaras and Lin Jian-chengartexhibition runs from July 28 to September 30th, 2018. Ling Jiu Mountain Buddhist Society will host a Guan Yin Colloquium September 28th to 29th and will hold the official opening ceremony of the 108 Lovesvaras on September 30th.

Guan Yin to Buddhists is a symbol of compassion and peace. Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Society welcomes everyone, no matter their faith, to visit, to get to know Guan Yin and to achieve harmony life .